“Can you take me somewhere tomorrow?” I asked.
“Where do you want to go?”
“I’d like to leave my flowers on Giuseppe’s grave.”
He smiled sadly and nodded. “That would be nice.” He looked at his watch.
“Come on, I’ve got something to show you, get your wrap,” he said.
The singer was asking for people to make their way outside where waitresses were handing out yet more champagne. We stood on the terrace as the band counted down ten to one. I heard a boom and looked up. The most amazing firework erupted, lighting the night sky with a beautiful mix of colour.
“Happy New Year,” Robert said.
I couldn’t believe it was midnight already, the evening had just flown by. Everyone hugged and kissed each other and I nestled in Robert’s arms, feeling that heat from his body warming me as we watched. We watched for a good half an hour and when the final one died down we clapped, it had been a wonderful display and with cold feet, we headed back into the warmth.
“Brooke, Robert, we’re leaving now, Sofia is tired. Thank you for a lovely evening and hopefully we’ll see you soon,” Lucia said.
We walked with them to the chapel where cars were waiting. I hugged Sofia, Gianfranco and Luca and we made promises to visit soon. Lucia kissed me on both cheeks and I whispered that I would call soon. Robert and I watched them drive away.
“What was that all about?” he asked.
“What do you mean?”
“You and Lucia,” he smiled, knowingly.
“Can I tell you tomorrow?” I asked.
“It is tomorrow, but it's fine, tell me later,” he said as he placed his arm around my shoulders and led me back.
“Now, let’s go and say our goodbyes. I want to get you out of that suit,” I said.
Robert nodded to Gary as we walked past, letting him know we were ready and the singer announced that we were leaving. It took ages saying goodbye to everyone but finally once I had collected my flowers we headed out to the car. Robert held my hand for the journey home and before he would let me out, he went to open the front door. Holding out his hand, I exited the car. He picked me up and carried me in, both of us laughing. Kicking the front door shut, he carried me into the bedroom where he sat me on the bed.
“Wait there,” he said as he made his way upstairs.
He came back down with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. Pouring one, he handed it to me before crouching in front of me.
“My wedding gift to you,” he said as he held out a small blue leather box.
I took it and slowly opened it, inside was the most stunning blue, square diamond set in a platinum band. He took it out of the box and placed it on my finger alongside my wedding ring. Tears sprang to my eyes, blurring my vision.
“It’s beautiful,” I said.
“Just like you,” he replied, looking at me.
We sat for a moment, just looking at each other before I smiled. I stood and pulling him up by his tie, I loosened it, sliding it from his collar. I pushed off his jacket and he pulled his shirt over his head and kicked off his shoes. With my hand on his chest, I walked him backwards until he sat in the chair. I handed him his glass and stood back.
My dress was easy to get off, I simply slid the shoulders forwards and it fell to the floor leaving me standing in nothing but my shoes. I pulled the pins from my hair, letting it fall over my shoulder. I dipped my finger in my glass and let it roll around my nipples, the cold brought goose bumps to my skin. Little dribbles of champagne rolled down my stomach and thoughts of what Robert wanted me to do flooded my brain as if he was silently communicating them to me.
I moved to the drawer and took out my friend, the cold, hard steel vibrating in my hands. On my knees in front of him, I ran it over my body, bringing a shudder to my stomach. My breath quickened and a small moan escaped my lips as I placed it against my clitoris, already throbbing and swollen. I leant back so Robert could watch as I pushed it inside me. I could hear his breathing change and I knew his eyes would be darkening.
I felt that fluttering in my stomach, the quiver to my legs, as an orgasm built inside me. My heart started to race and I cried out, moving the vibrator in and out of me until I couldn’t wait any longer. I let the orgasm roll over me, calling out his name.
He rose from his chair, standing over me. I looked up at him and watched as he undid his belt, his trousers and I smiled as I saw he was as naked as I had been under his suit. I rose slightly, still on my knees and taking a gulp of champagne I took him in my mouth, letting the bubbles fizz over him. He wrapped his hands in my hair, holding my head still while he fucked my mouth. I sucked hard every time he moved out, my hands gripping his hips, trying to force him deeper. As his hands tightened in my hair, I felt him shudder, he came and I swallowed. I let my tongue travel over him, and down over his balls, gently rolling them around my mouth.
I moved up to his stomach, kissing and just under his navel I bit him, hard enough to mark him, to graze his skin and I licked the blood away. I knew what his reaction would be, he would punish me and it was just what I wanted right then.
He pulled my hair until my head came away from his stomach and pulling me by my arms, he forced me to my feet. His eyes were black and a shiver of excitement went up my spine. His mouth found mine, our teeth clashing and he bit at my tongue, my lips. One hand circled my throat, his fingers forcing my chin up. It was a position of dominance, reminding me who was in charge.
“You want to play rough do you?” he growled as he walked me backwards to the bed, I nodded.
He pushed me down onto the bed and crawled over me, holding my arms to my side. His mouth found my nipples, his tongue flicking over each one, his teeth holding and pulling, biting. My emotions were all over the place, my heart hammered as his mouth moved down my stomach and at the same place, he bit me as hard. I screamed out and all the time he held my arms still by my side. I raised my hips to him. I wanted his tongue inside me, my body was begging for it.
Still he bit me, small nips down from my navel. The pain was exquisite, every nerve was on fire and as his mouth found my clitoris, he held it between his teeth, his tongue just flicking the end. As his teeth closed, an explosion happened inside me, my stomach knotted, my legs shook and my hands gripped the bedding, fingernails digging into my palms.
I felt him move above me and I wrapped my legs around his waist as he pushed inside me, hard and so deep. He held my hands above my head, his eyes boring into me, totally unblinking and then he smiled, a slow, very wicked smile, his tongue running over his teeth.
“You bit me, is that allowed?” he asked quietly.
“No,” I replied, my breathing getting even quicker.
“So what do I do about it?” he asked.
“Punish me?”
“How do you want to be punished?”
“Fuck me hard,” I said, my voice catching.
“That’s not a punishment,” he replied.
He stilled and I tried to grind my body against him.
“I said, that’s not a punishment, Brooke,” he repeated, his voice low.
I could not believe how turned on I was, my body felt on fire. A physical burn crept over me. What I wanted was not gentle, I wanted passion and pain mixed together. I wanted raw, I wanted primitive, primal sex. I wanted him to claim me, to possess me. No, I didn’t want it, I needed it.
“Mark me, fuck me, spank me. Please, you own me,” I cried.
He slammed so fast into me, it took my breath away. At the same time his teeth grazed across my collar bone. He held my hands above my head and then he stilled, looking at me, his eyes black as coal.
“Turn over, on all fours,” he said.
I did as I was told and before I was ready his hand slapped me across my backside. It stung but didn’t really hurt. It did take me by surprise though and I cried out. Holding my hips he pushed inside me, with every thrust, he slapped my arse. His hand was in my hair, holding my head up. He watched my reflection i
n the mirrored TV. I came again, sweat beading on my forehead and my stomach ached. My arms shook where I was supporting myself and I sunk to my elbows. He pumped away so fast, so deep.
“What do you have to say?” he asked.
“I’m sorry,” I replied.
“For what, Brooke.”
“For biting you,” I said but then I giggled, of course I was not sorry, I was loving it.
He chuckled as he came, letting go of my hair so I could fall down on my stomach. Before he rolled onto his side, he placed a small kiss on my very red backside. I started to laugh and he pulled me to his chest.
“You asked for it,” he said.
“I know and I loved it,” I said looking at him.
He shook his head in wonderment at me. In such a short time I had gone from little missionary girl to arse spanking slut! He gently kissed me.
“That fucking hurt by the way,” he said.
“What, my bite?” I asked.
“No, you asking me to spank you. I never want to hurt you.”
“Baby, you didn’t. You’re not hitting me in anger, you did it because I asked you to. You have no idea how much that turned me on. You know me, Robert. You would know, just by looking at me how far to push me, you said that yourself. You won’t hurt me.”
“Let’s make a deal,” he said. “I’ll use my hand but never ask me to use anything else.”
I winced at my mistake, how dumb of me. He had been beaten and I had asked him to do the same to me.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t think,” I said.
“It's fine but I have to confess, that was fucking hot. I can’t believe you bit me,” he laughed.
I also laughed as I climbed out of bed. “I need a shower and so do you.”
Standing in the shower together we let the water run over us and I ran my fingers over his bruise, the skin broken.
“I love you, you know,” I said.
He looked at me, nodded, “I know. What you just did in there, you gave yourself completely to me, I finally believe you,” he replied.
I towel dried my hair and we climbed under the covers and lying on our sides, face to face, we fell asleep, not before noticing it was gone 3am.
Chapter Eleven
It was late when I woke and I smiled as I saw Robert looking at me.
“Good morning, Mrs Stone,” he said and my smile widened.
“Sounds good, doesn’t it,” I replied.
“I have a gift for you,” he reached to the bedside table.
He handed me an envelope, I opened it and pulled out two tickets and a document. A honeymoon in the Maldives.
“I need to go to New York first, so I’ve booked it for later in the month.”
“I’ve always wanted to go there, thank you. This is just so exciting.”
“I want to get your residency underway as well,” he said as he climbed out of bed.
I lay for a little while, reading about the island. It was the same one Patricia had won at the charity ball, I would ask her about it. I also thought I would have some serious shopping to do, I didn’t have any swim or beachwear. I held my hand out, looking at my rings, the blue diamond, catching the light and thought back to the previous day.
“You better get up, we have people coming for dinner and it’s already lunchtime,” he said as he came out of the bathroom.
I climbed out of bed, wincing and aching. I had a quick shower and put on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt before heading upstairs.
“Good morning, afternoon I mean,” Evelyn said handing me a cup of tea. Robert was already sitting at the breakfast bar with his coffee.
“It was such a wonderful wedding, wasn’t it,” she said.
“I still can’t believe it,” I replied.
“Ev, Brooke has decided she wants to put her flowers on Joe’s grave today. Will you come with us?” he asked her.
I saw tears pool in her eyes and I took her hand in mind. “Please come.”
“I would love to and he would have been so thrilled for you both. We should go soon though, so I have time to prepare dinner,” she said.
She headed off for her coat and Robert and I got ready.
“We have gifts to open, we can do that when we get back,” he said.
We headed out the door where Travis had the car ready and we drove into the City. It wasn’t long before we arrived at the church and parked. Evelyn led the way, along a path until we came to the graves. Standing at a white marble head stone, I read the inscription. It was for her mother and father, buried together. Bending down I placed the flowers at the base of the headstone and kissing my fingertips, I traced them over his name.
“Thank you Guiseppi for giving me the Robert I love,” I said quietly.
I heard a sigh behind me and turning I saw Robert, his hands rubbing over his face and through his hair. I stood and walked towards him and holding his head in my hands, I brushed away a tear.
“It’s okay baby,” I said. “Cry for him, it’s okay.”
The four of us stayed for a while, Evelyn bending down, saying a prayer. I stood in the middle of Travis and Robert, my arms around both their waists, letting them have their memories and their thoughts. With Robert’s arm around me, we walked back to the car. A silence settled over us as we travelled home.
We sat in the lounge and while Evelyn prepared our evening meal, we opened the gifts. Mack and Taylor had bought us a pair of stunning, heavy, glass candlesticks, they looked perfect on the coffee table. We received a framed photograph, black and white of an Italian village, an old lady hunched over and walking up a hill. When I turned it over it had been taken in Joe’s village. I sent a quick text to Lucia to thank her for it. We had so many gifts, I made a note of who had sent what so I could do thank you cards. Checking my watch, I told Robert that I was going to have a shower and get ready, he followed me down to the bedroom.
“I need to talk to you about Lucia,” I said, sitting on the bed.
“Go on,” he replied.
I told him what she had said, that she was scared and if she was, so was I. She felt she couldn’t speak directly to him but wanted me to let him know how worried she was.
He nodded. “I’ll speak with Franco, see what they argued about.”
I showered first, letting him shave and looking through my wardrobe, I selected a pair of trousers and shirt. The most delicious smells radiated from upstairs as I made my way up and when I heard a car arrive I looked out of the window, Caroline and Travis.
“Hello, it’s so good to see you again, can I get you wine?” I asked as they came up the stairs.
I handed Travis a beer and poured three glasses. While Evelyn finished preparations for our meal we sat and chatted, mainly about the wedding, about her job and Harley. It was good to speak one-on-one with her. The other two times we had met, there had been a crowd.
“So, you really knew nothing about your wedding?” she asked.
“No, the first I knew was in the morning. Robert had left a note asking me to marry him at 5 o’clock.”
“Wow, that’s so lovely,” she replied.
“I was rather surprised,” I added, smiling at Robert.
“I’m about to serve if you want to sit down,” Evelyn said.
Evelyn joined us for the meal, she was as keen to learn about Caroline as the rest of us were.
“It must be hard, Caroline, bringing up a child and working such long hours,” Evelyn asked.
“Yes, but it’s all I wanted to do. My mum lives a couple of blocks away and she comes and stays a lot but she’s getting on a bit now so I think I might have to change my hours to be a little more sociable.”
“How about Harley’s father, is he not around to help?” Evelyn asked.
“No, to be honest Harley wasn’t exactly planned and other than seeing him just after he was born, we’ve had no contact since,” Caroline told her. “That suits both of us really, it wasn’t a serious relationship.”
I found Caroline easy to talk to,
someone who might challenge Travis a little but I was pleased for him. Half way through the evening, Robert’s phone buzzed, he looked at the caller display and then at me.
“Excuse me, I need to take this call,” he said and as he rose, he gave a quick look to Travis.
“Girls, be back in a bit,” he said, following.
“How did you and Robert meet, Brooke?” Caroline asked.
“Well, I came to Washington for a holiday and visit my friend Sam, he works at Vassago. We met in a kitchen in the offices believe it or not and the rest, as they say, is history.”
“How about you, Evelyn, how long have you known them?” she asked.
“A long time,” was all Evelyn offered.
“I’m glad we have this moment alone. I wanted to ask you guys something about the scars on Travis’ body. I’m a nurse, I know knife wounds when I see them, no matter how old they are but he doesn’t seem to want to talk about it,” Caroline said.
I quickly glanced at Evelyn. “I’m sure he’ll tell you when he’s ready. I guess it’s something he finds difficult to talk about, you might have to be a little patient,” I laughed.
“It’s just that I really like him and it’s hard not knowing that much about him,” she said.
“I know how that feels, but please, bear with him. You’ll know what you need to know in time. You guys have only been together a short while and he is special, he is worth your patience. If you really like him, give him a bit of time.”
This was going to be tricky, Caroline had a child to think about, how would she react if she knew too much? For me, it had always been a relatively easy decision, I was in love with Robert right from the beginning and I had only myself to think about.
The boys came back to the dining room and as he sat, Robert gave me a quick smile. I could tell he was a little tense, but he tried hard not to let it show.
“I’m sorry about that, some business I had to deal with it,” he explained.
“Robert, what does Vassago do?” Caroline asked him.
“Primarily we are property developers although we also own hotels, commercial and retail units that we either run or let out, here and in New York.” He sounded like he was reading from a corporate brochure and it dawned on me that he was being cautious and hesitant.
Fallen Angel, Part II Page 19
